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Christmas Eve in Poland
The Christmas Eve Supper begins with the appearance of the first star in the sky, which all the children eagerly look out for. It starts with sharing of the Christmas wafer and well-wishing among all the family members. It is a profoundly moving, tender and memorable moment, full of melancholy for the departed loved ones but at the same time ripe with the everlasting hope for happiness, bright future and peace for all. At that moment all the transgressions and grievances are forgiven, all the sorrows and tears put behind. A kiss and a hug seal the newfound accord. It is an enchanting night for all children, when, in the glitter and light of the fragrant Christmas tree, magic seems to touch reality, if only for a few hours. There are gifts for everyone awaiting under the tree. Thoughtful presents placed there with care by someone’s loving hands. Even the smallest, most humble gift is very special that night because it symbolizes human love, altruism and friendship. As Christmas carols play in the
background, the family gathers around a holiday table, set with the best
china and glasses. In keeping with an ancient tradition, sometimes there
is a layer of fragrant hay under a heavily starched tablecloth. In the
past, young city people used the hay to foretell the future by drawing
the straws from under the tablecloth. The green straw meant love and
forthcoming wedding, a blackened one predicted misfortune, broken
engagement or spinsterhood. In the country, to this day some villagers
place sheaves of rye in the four corners of the dining room to ensure
good harvest in the coming year. Sometimes they also offer a tiny piece
of the wafer to the domestic animals to bless them with good health and
strong offspring. One of the ancient, pagan myths was the belief that at
midnight all the animals could speak, but that overhearing them brought
misfortune. To this day one of the most touching customs is the practice
of placing an extra place setting on the table in remembrance and honor
of the departed loved ones and also for the symbolic, accidental, lone
traveler - as no one should be hungry or lonely on that very special
night. In keeping with the traditions 12 dishes, in honor of the 12 Apostles, are prepared for the occasion. Christmas Eve is a day of fasting; so all the dishes are meatless and prepared with oil. The supper is the first meal of the day and it usually starts with clear red borsch served with mushroom pasties or mushroom ravioli. Then the fish reigns supreme! It can be cold: smoked, marinated in vinegar with onions, in olive oil, in aspic with vegetables. It can be served hot: baked, fried or poached. The most common are herring, carp, pike and pike-perch. There is also a dish of cabbage and peas, sauerkraut cooked with dry wild mushrooms, noodles with poppy seeds, and in the eastern parts of Poland “kutia”: mixture of wheat, honey and poppy seeds. Aromatic spice cakes, poppy seed rolls and short bread cookies are served for dessert. All this fare can be washed down with rich and refreshing compote made of dried fruits, mainly plums, figs and pears or with hot tea. Alcoholic drinks are also served but in moderation. The evening culminates in the exchanging and opening of gifts and later in attending a very special midnight mass. Hania
R. Williams Based
on “W staropolskiej kuchni i przy polskim stole” by Maria Lemnis and
Henryk Vitry. (03-12-15) |
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Christmas,
next to Easter, is the most elaborately celebrated holiday in Poland.
Christmas Eve is probably the most poignant and special evening of the
year. It is typically celebrated in a very close-knit circle of
relatives. Its traditions, rich customs and rites date back to the pagan
times. On the traditional Polish Christmas, both the pagan and Christian
motives intertwine to form a colorful and very poetic atmosphere.
